Check Mate: The Loch Carron Series, #3

By Janet Heads

What now? Alexander, Gautier, Robert and Janet, have flicked back into the twenty-first century. How will the men adapt, and will this bring conflict between Janet and Alexander, who wants to keep some old ideas in place?
Exploring the new world, they need an income. Once more the adventurers are on the move, treasure hunting. Clues lead to the great cathedral, St Peter and Paul, in Troyes, France.  Gautier still has feelings for Janet, leading to altercations, but also he has to face his past as he and Robert realise something they have to do.
The men disappear without Janet. She is lost, but once more is flung into survival mode, when she searches for them. Will she met up with Alexander again, and what will she find if she returns to the MacDonalds of loch Carron?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janet Heads
• Release date: Sep 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9780987651655

Book preview

Chapter One

There was blackness, flashing lights, and then blackness once more. A terrific pain shot through her body, now there was a silence, and she experienced a sensation of falling.

‘Ouch!’ she cried as her head hit the ground. The breath was knocked out of her as someone landed on top of her. As Janet’s eyes opened and she adjusted to the low light, she found herself looking into the eyes of Sir Gautier de Payens. His body lay on top of her, his face was close to hers and she felt his breath on her. At first his expression was serious, and then he smiled and raised his eyebrows. Placing his hands on the floor on either side of her chest, he lifted his weight off her.

‘Gautier, I think you need to get right off me.’ Gautier’s face changed as his blue eyes flicked down to her lips then up to her eyes again. She thought he wanted to kiss her. Instead, he smiled and stood up, before offering his hand to help her to stand.

Janet accepted the thirty-four year old, handsome, clean-shaven man’s hand. His long, brown hair was tied back behind his neck. All six foot one of him was strong, youthful and heroic. But his smile quickly dissolved as he looked around the room. As Janet rubbed her head, she felt nauseous and confused as to her whereabouts.

Then she recognised the place they were in as the same University library she had been in when she had suddenly travelled back in time. Books neatly stacked on shelves surrounded them.

‘Alex, where is Alex?’ she spoke in Gaelic. Hearing a muffled noise, the pair went around the next aisle to see Alexander MacDonald on his back on the ground, with another knight, Robert MacDonald, face down on top of him. Both men tried to stand up but the aisle was too narrow and they found it impossible to move. Gautier grabbed Robert’s sword belt and pulled him backwards, causing the twenty-seven year old to stumble as he regained his balance. His brown eyes darted around the room as he brushed his long dark curly hair out of his eyes. Robert’s neatly clipped beard framed his paler than normal face, and he appeared to be in shock. Janet pushed past Robert and, kneeling down next to Alexander, spoke to him,

‘Alex, Alex, are you alright?’ Her hand rested on her fifty-eight year old lover’s and husband’s arm. At five-eleven, he was a handsome fellow, a wee bit too big around the middle, but this did not matter to her. He was as fit and strong as any younger man. Alexander nodded as he scratched his trimmed brown-grey beard in puzzlement. His long brown, greying hair was tied back behind his neck. Holding his face in her hands, she made him look at her.

‘Alex.’ Janet glanced up at the other two. ‘Listen to me,’ her voice continued to sound panicky. ‘Accept everything you are about to see. Do not try to understand anything. Not yet, anyway. We have been sent forward in time, into my time.’

Gautier and Robert stared enquiringly at her as their faces drained of blood but they nodded in agreement, as they continued to look around in astonishment. Janet moved to the end of the bookcases. They were still in the same spot from which she had disappeared, three years before. No one was in their section of the room and she sighed thankfully to see the entire area was isolated.

‘You stay here as I want to look around for a minute.’ Alexander nodded as he was helped up by the others. She straightened her clothes, and looked over her slightly dirty dress. Her companions were in the same state. All were dressed in the style of the era they had come from, the early thirteen hundreds. Janet was dressed in the manner of a well-dressed lady and the others were in full armour and chainmail.

‘If the lights go off...’ The men stared in her direction, their lips held tight together. ‘push this button and they will come on again.’ She pointed to a black button on the side of the wall. Like magic the light went off. Reaching out to the button, Gautier gently tapped her hand away and pushed it himself. There was a surprised expression on all the men’s faces as they looked up as the light came on.

‘Hmmm,’ said Gautier, in some confusion.

Janet fingered a book as she approached a girl sitting at a desk. She cleared her throat and began to speak in English.

‘Excuse me, have you the time?’ The girl at first jumped, then looked up. ‘We are in a play,’ Janet smiled. The girl nodded,

‘It’s three o’clock.’

‘And what’s the date?’ The girl looked puzzled. ‘I am always forgetting what day it is.’

‘It is the tenth of October,’ she said slowly.

‘Two thousand and.....’

‘It’s two thousand and seven.’ The girl gave Janet another quizzical expression.

‘Thanks sorry for disturbing you.’ Janet’s heart jumped. She had been missing for only three days, not three years. This was incredible. Obviously, the wormhole must move slower in this time.

What was she to do next? When she left it was Friday, so today it must be Monday. Looking at the table where her bag had been, it was no surprise to see it had gone. Climbing up two flights of stairs to the ground floor, Janet approached a woman at the library desk.

‘Excuse me, I was here on Friday and I left a medium sized black bag behind. I have no ID on me as I have changed into this costume and have now misplaced my other bag. I think I am going mad.’ The woman laughed,

‘One of those days, is it?’

‘No, one of those weeks,’ Janet laughed.

‘We did have a bag. I will check to see if it is still here and has not been sent to lost property. Can you tell me what’s in it?’  Janet tried to remember the contents.

‘There’s a set of keys, a small blue diary with the name Janet Hendrick in it and purse, containing my visa and Eftpos cards, a comb and other bits and pieces, some paper and a pen.’

‘One moment.’ The librarian disappeared into a back office, returning a few moments later with her bag.

‘Oh thank goodness. Thank you.’ Checking to see if all was intact, she found to her pleasure that everything was there. Nodding her thanks to the woman, she returned to where the men where.

By the time she got back, Alexander was sitting with a book on Scottish history in his hand.

He nodded as she returned,

‘Interesting,’ he said as he held out the book.

‘Can you read it?’

‘Aye, why should I nae be able to. Most of it is in Latin.’ Janet glanced at the book. It was one with old scriptures in Latin with an English transcription. He closed the novel and placed it back on the shelf. Glancing at the other two, she noticed they still appeared in shock at their situation. Robert was not amused and he glared at her as he spoke to her.

‘Sir Alexander has told us what has happened,’ his voice showed his anger, causing her to shiver.

‘I am sorry. Duncan swore me to secrecy. I had no control over it at all. Just as I was flicked back in your time, we have now been brought forward into my time.’ Gautier had been reading a book too and now snapped it shut and placed it back on the shelf. He did not look happy either. Janet spoke as her heart beat faster under the pressure.

‘We will have to get out of here. I hope my car is where I left it. It should be, as it was the weekend. I may just have got a ticket, and hopefully I’ve not been towed away.’ She was talking aloud trying to settle her nerves.

‘What is a ticket?’ asked Alexander.

‘What is a car?’ asked Robert.

‘I will tell you later. Shhh... follow me. Oh, speak English if you please gentlemen. The English spoken will seem strange but you will get used to it.’ The men gave her a funny look as she was giving the orders now rather than them. Janet paused, ‘By the way, do not call each other Sir, as it is not done in this time.’ Alexander stood and straightened his armour. ‘People will stare at us but if anyone asks, we are in a play, a performance, and we have finished a dress rehearsal.’

‘Makes sense to me.’ Alexander answered with an amused expression on his face. She glanced at him. So far he had kept his sense of humour, but how long would it last?

‘English, Alex.’

Janet led them out of the lower room and up the stairs to the ground floor. All glanced in different directions trying to make sense of what they were seeing. Once out onto the footpath, the group stopped to watch cars and buses driving past them. Janet prodded the men to move on, and briskly walked down the hill to where she hoped her car was.

In the distance, she saw the outline of her blue station wagon. Her heart pounded as they crossed the road to where the car was parked. No ticket, that was good. Her hands shook as she pushed the unlock button. The car lights flashed, and the sound of the central locking clicked, as all the doors were unlocked. Moving to the back of the car, she opened the boot. Robert stared at the strange vehicle with a look of wonderment on his face.

‘You better take off your swords and armour or you may not be able to sit in the car.’ Janet felt numb as she tried to compose herself. Alexander took his sword off.

‘Here,’ she said as she reached out with shaking hands to help undo his straps to release his shoulder and leg armour. As she undid the ties, Alexander placed his hands over hers and held them still for a few moments. Bringing them to his lips, he kissed them. Their eyes met. She appeared pale and drawn, and expected Alexander to be the one who was upset. Pulling her close, he cuddled her for a few moments, as he too, looked around at the strange, machines, buildings and people of different colours and facial features, not too sure what to make of them. Releasing her, she assisted the others with their armour and in a few moments they were all seated in the car. Alexander sat in the front seat, with Robert and Gautier in the back. Once more Janet paused and inhaled deeply as Alexander reached over and patted her hand. She glanced up as he smiled and gave her a wink.  

‘Let’s get home,’ she sighed. Shaking, she put the key into the car’s ignition and turned it. The engine came to life. All the men jumped.

Occasionally, she glanced at the men’s faces. A mixture of fear, amusement, amazement, and suspicion flowed at different times across their faces. The men watched Janet driving the car and how others around them were doing the same.

Home at last, she drove down the drive and stopped outside the back door, and turned the engine off. Closing her eyes, she leant against the steering wheel and took another breath before letting it out. Time to move she straightened up before encouraging everyone to get out. On finding a key, she unlocked the door to the kitchen.

‘Look out, there will be a dangerous beastie turning up any minute,’ she said as she walked in. Charlotte Jemma bounded into the kitchen. The bearded collie-cross wagged her tail uncontrollably, as she first greeted Janet and, as if she already knew the others, the dog ran over to each of the men to greet them, one at a time by first sniffing, and then trying to jump up onto them. Robert greeted the beast, while the other two gently pushed her away.

‘Charlotte, get down at once!’ Janet said in a gruff voice. The dog sat beside her, looking up into her face. Patting the dog, she spoke,

‘Off you go.’ Opening the double glass sliding door to the backyard, she let the dog out.

Janet sighed and looked around the room. The kitchen was the way she had left it, except for a few dirty dishes. I do not know why these kids do not use the dishwasher she thought.

Alexander scrutinized the large room. On his right was a two-seater chair against one wall, a three-seater was against another as at right angles to the first, and facing him was a small coffee table. On his left, at the other end of the room, was a big kitchen table with six chairs. A large workbench sat in the middle, with a sink and funny things sticking up near it. On the other wall, were two large rectangular, white upright boxes. One he considered was a stove top while on a bench was another smaller white box with a window in it. He had no idea what it was, but when he opened it, a bread oven came to mind.

Janet spied a message written on top of a small pile of letters, ‘Mum, where are you? Have gone to Tom’s.’ It must have been written on Saturday or Sunday. She looked at the clock, to see it was now twenty to four. A few moments later, a sound of running feet was heard coming down the drive. A cap was sitting on the kitchen bench and taking off her veil, she placed it on her head, tucking her long, greying hair underneath it. Matthew, her youngest son, burst into the house. Janet glanced at Alexander who gave her a slightly cross look.

‘Mum, where have you been? We were about to ring the cops.’ He stopped, noticing the strange men standing before him. The sixteen year old closely inspected them. They returned his stare, studying the green eyed, fair headed, boy. He reminded Alexander of Andrew.

‘Have you been to one of those re-enactments or something?’ Matthew asked. Janet nodded and pulled her son to her, giving him a cuddle, tears in her eyes.

‘Mum, get away,’ he laughed and pushed her, slightly embarrassed as she cleared her throat,

‘This is Si...I mean Alexander MacDonald, Gautier de Payens, and Robert MacDonald. They will be staying with us for a while.’ Matthew appeared suspicious, shrugging his shoulders but nodded as he shook each of their offered hands. Janet leant forward and whispered in his ear,

‘You will have to give your room up for a while. Please don’t make a fuss.’ Matthew eyebrows dropped. ‘Please, I will pay ya.’

‘How much?’ Up went the brows.

‘We’ll discuss that later. Off you go and get what gear you need. You can move up to the loft.’ Matthew sighed, turned, grabbed his bag and asked,

‘Is Jacque home?’

‘No, the back door was locked when I got in.’

‘Why are you wearing my cap?’

‘Cold head.’ He shrugged his shoulders, before turning and disappearing into a room. One down, two to go.

‘Drink of tea?’ Alexander appeared puzzled.

‘Trust me,’ she said. Filling the jug with water, she switched it on.

‘I will give you a tour of my small castle?’ All stood with their hands on their hips staring back. They still appeared cross. She chose to ignore them.

‘This is the lounge and dining room. Through here is a hallway to the toilets or what you call garderobe.’ On entering the small room she picked up a toilet roll, hugged and kissed it.

‘Toilet paper you use it instead of rags or your hands. It flushes away. You men, lift this.’ She lifted the toilet seat. ‘You pee and put it down again.’ Pushing the flush button. ‘All gone. No smell. This is the bathroom.’ They entered a large bathroom with a shower box and a large corner bath, big enough for two. Janet put the plug in the bathtub and ran the water. Going over to the basin she turned the tap on and off.

‘Hot water.’ Doing the same with the cold tap before walking out of the room. Alexander was about to follow but stopped and turned the tap on and off. The others copied, before they too followed, past two bedrooms.

‘This is Jacqueline’s, she’s my eldest,’ she pointed to the next room. ‘That’s Matthew’s room will be Gautier’s and Robert’s. I hope you two do not mind sharing.’ She glanced at the men, before turning away. ‘I....I will have to get in and tidy it up first. You all know how messy Squires’ bedchambers get.’ The room did look like a bomb had hit it. Matthew looked up at the group. He glanced warily at his mother who speaking in a language he could not understand, before he turned back to what he was doing. Continuing to place a few things in a bag, he thought about the strangers who were in his house.

‘David, my other son, has his room in a ...,’ she paused as she did not know how to explain a flat. ‘Another building out the back and this is my room, correction, our room,’ she said quietly to Alexander.

He entered the main bedroom. A large king sized four poster bed was in the middle of the north wall. A bay window and there was a door on the left hand side of the room and another door on their right led to a large wardrobe with a basin and shower. Alexander pushed down on the bed and smiled. Still he said nothing.

As she passed Robert and Gautier, who had followed them, she paused at the light switch.

Switching the light off and on, she told them,

‘This will turn the light off and on. It is called electricity, remember we talked about it Alex?’ He nodded as both caught a fleeting glance of each other, before leaving the room.

They proceeded into the kitchen. As Janet made everyone tea, in several different combinations of milk and sugar although she preferred it black. They chose which one they liked. Sitting on the couches, Janet and Alexander on one, the others on the three-seater, no one said anything.

‘Oh, the bath seems to be ready!’ Janet was glad to get away, leaving the three alone.

Alexander closed his eyes for a few moments. He was confused about what had happened to them. Half of him was in shock, the other was angry. Then the sound of a door coming ajar was heard. A young woman of twenty-three entered and stared at them. She looked like her mother would have looked years ago as she threw a bag on the floor. Glancing at the men, she was surprised to see them.

‘Oh, hello. Who are you?’ All the men stood up. Alexander cleared his throat and held out his hand.  

‘Alexander MacDonald.’ Jacque giggled as she detected the strong Scottish accent. Her eyes moved over him.

‘You’re joking?’

‘Excuse me?’ he replied as she shook his hand and noted the roughness of his skin.

‘Mum always said she wanted a tall, handsome Scot.’

‘Jacque that is enough!’ called her mother from the doorway. Jacque turned to face her mother.

‘Mum, we were starting to get worried. I thought you were supposed to be at Uni on Friday but I couldn’t see you there.’

‘I ....I was called into work and was caught up. There should have been a message on the answer phone,’ Janet lied.

‘Gentlemen, this is my daughter, Jacqueline Christina. Jacque, this is Robert MacDonald and Gautier de Payens. They will be staying with us for a while.... I am going to have a bath now. Have you got something to do?’ she asked staring hard at Jacqueline, hinting for her to go. ‘I will speak to you later.’ Jacque smiled at the men and giggled as Gautier kissed her hand.

‘Mademoiselle.’

Robert shook her hand also and smiled.

‘Nice meeting you,’ Jacque said, as she gave Robert a second glance before she went.

‘Yer daughter is like you when yer were younger?’ Alexander asked.

‘Aye, including the extra fat cells I am afraid.’ Alexander grinned and sat down.

‘Now,’ she sighed, ‘what can I get for you to change into? Wait, I will be back in a moment.’ Once more she disappeared but this time out of a sliding glass door. She arrived back minutes later with several articles of clothing:  two pairs of jeans for Gautier and Robert and a pair of old tracksuit pants for Alexander. Plus there were three tee shirts and a couple of pairs of running shoes.

‘These are David’s, they may be tight but you can wear them until we buy you some new clothes.’

‘I am off to have bath. If you want to look around, you will see our property is all fenced; also you may want to watch this.’ She nodded towards the lounge, picked up the television remote control and turned it on. The television burst into life, stunning all the men into silence.

‘This is a television, like moving pictures. They are sent to this machine through a wire, a thin piece of metal, which we call a cable. I personally cannot exactly explain how it works, but it does. You can change the channels by pushing the buttons.’ Janet spoke in a combination of English and Gaelic as she did not know the names of many things in their native tongue. Switching to the History channel, she saw it was a programme on ancient battles. The trio sat down to watch. Janet handed the control to Gautier, who looked at it suspiciously. She tapped Alexander on his shoulder, indicating for him to follow her.

Chapter Two

Janet sighed as she went into the bathroom. Sitting on the edge of the bath, with her head in her hands, she wept. This is how Alexander found her as he entered the room and closed the door. He held her in his arms, as she rested her head on his stomach.

‘I am sorry,’ she whispered, sobbing more. ‘I...I...’

‘Shh,’ he rubbed her back. ‘It will be all right, we can cope. We are used to the unexpected and standing in front of people who want to kill us. We have felt fear more times than we care to remember. I think we will survive this.’ She nodded. He kissed the top of her head before releasing her, but Janet placed her arms around his neck.

‘Oh, how I love you, Sir Alexander MacDonald.’ With a quick kiss, she stripped and got into the bath. Alexander glanced around and saw a stool, grabbed it and sat watching her while she bathed. She spoke as she scrubbed hard at the soles of her feet. She could never get them clean.

‘I tried to imagine what it would be like if I returned with someone but I never thought I’d return with three of you. I do nae know where to start.’

‘Supper will help.’ Alexander then undressed and got into the bath and indicated for her to move forwards, allowing him to sit behind her.

Janet held up a plastic razor.

‘You will like this. This is the modern shaving blade.’

‘Impressive.’ He took it, and the soap. Washing her back, he kissed her gently on her neck as she snuggled against him. Alexander’s hands rested on her nipples.

A warm sensation went through her as she felt soap on her skin. It excited her. Twisting her head around, she looked up into his eyes. They exchanged a slow, long, soft kiss. She pulled back, knowing she had things to do.

‘Hmm. I would like to stay here all day but you want your supper. Now behave.’ Playfully she tapped his fingers which were playing with her nipples, hinting that he release her.

‘Yer are no fun.’ 

Alexander soaked in the bath as Janet dressed in a top and jeans. She looked at herself in the mirror, smiling to herself as she obviously had lost some weight. Alexander watched her.

‘Why are yer in men’s trousers?’

‘Did you notice other woman in these on your way here?’

‘I do nae like them. They show yer figure to others.’ Janet smiled.

‘One of you men has seen everything I have; as for the other, I do not think he has even noticed me. I am more of a mother than a lover.’ Janet did not take her eyes off Alexander’s face. There was a slight tension between them. ‘Alex, you were the cause of me being bedded by Gautier. I cannot deny I liked it. You have made me have feelings toward him I did not have before.’ She crouched down beside the bath. ‘But you are my husband and now we are all living close together. Nothing will happen ever again and I am sure Gautier will honour you by not trying anything.’ Leaning forward, she kissed him slowly on the lips. At first he did not respond, and then with a slight grin he kissed her back.

‘I am sorry, lass. I did nae mean it, but I...we had to honour my pledge.’

‘Aye I know, but they are both men and their wives are not here. They will be feeling deserted and alone and are used to sleeping with a woman by their sides.’ Alexander put his hand behind her neck, pulled her down and kissed her again.

‘Yer are always thinking of others and that is why I love yer so much.’ Janet laughed.

‘Yeah right, it has nearly got me killed a couple of times.’ Alexander deliberated for a few moments,

‘What is a couple?’

‘It means two, a pair.’

‘Oh,’ Alexander said as he let her go and leant back enjoying the water.

‘I’d still like yer to wear a gown if yer please!’ Alexander repeated. She met his challenge as her heart beat increased. The look in Alexander’s eyes indicated he would not tolerate her disobeying him. Janet smiled, said nothing, and went back into the kitchen.

Once more she glanced down at her clothes. The weight she had lost was a bonus. She did not have many dresses but she may indulge Alexander and wear one every now and again.

Janet’s attention was on tea as she tied a towel around her head, as she thought about what to have for the meal. She was picking up some baby carrots as Matthew entered the room.

‘GYO?’ he said.

‘No, not tonight, you do not have to get your own. Chicken and mashed potatoes.’

‘Sounds alright.’ He grabbed a few baby carrots and disappeared. The men had not tried potatoes before so Janet decided to put rice on as well. Taking a chicken from the deep freeze, she put it in the microwave to thaw out and grabbed several potatoes and sat down to peel them. Jacque entered and Janet reached out with a potato peeler and passed it to Jacque, who took it with a sigh and picked up a potato.

‘Mum, about the men?’

‘Hmm, you would not believe me if I told you.’

‘Try me.’ At this point Gautier walked into the kitchen, went over to the sink and filled a glass with water. He held it up to examine the clear liquid, then drank it and looked at both women who returned his gaze.

‘This is good,’ he commented. Janet smiled and nodded, as he reached over to a potato, which he picked up to examine.

‘It is a potato, a root crop, like parsnips. We eat them often. I was about to tell Jacqueline about my adventure.’ Gautier smiled and leant against the breakfast bar; obviously, he was staying to listen. He looked at her in her modern clothes.

‘I prefer yer in a gown,’ he said. Janet rolled her eyes.

‘I thought you liked to see a woman’s figure,’ she snapped. Gautier eyed Jacque, but said nothing.

Janet started at the beginning: how she went back in time and landed outside the MacDonald’s castle in winter and they had taken her in. She recalled the people and drew a family tree so Jacque could understand who was who.

‘How did vous lose your toes?’ Gautier asked.

‘I had been in the castle for a few weeks and they decided Alex was my guardian. I was moved to a room but Duncan forgot to inform the women about it. The women of the castle are in charge of the running of it. They organise for the rooms to be serviced, and fires restocked during the night, Jacque. If the fires are not replenished you can freeze to death. Anyway, later on, one thing lead to another and Alex and I got together if you know what I mean.  

After New Year, Alexander’s patrol came in with several injured men. I was called down to help in the infirmary. I saw a man who needed attention more than the others but as I went to tend him, I was told not to. I said no, he needed help first. The trouble was it was Duncan I said no to.’ Gautier grinned. ‘You see Duncan was the most powerful man in the castle. David was their chief, but he was much younger. Duncan was in charge of the garrison and at thirty-seven he was experienced and had control. I found out later that Alexander had as much power but I did not know this at the time. Alexander stopped Duncan from cutting my throat.

‘He...what? Would Duncan have done it?’ Jacque exclaimed, as Gautier interrupted,

‘Oh oui, mademoiselle. He would have to show no one disobeys him, especially a stranger and a woman.’ Janet continued.

‘Alex intervened and because Duncan knew how Alex felt about me and said he would teach me to comply, Duncan let it go, but I was punished all the same.’

‘What do you mean punished?’ asked Jacque with a cross expression.

‘I was held down by Kenneth, Alexander’s son, whom I did not know was his son at that time, and Alexander smacked me on my bum with his gloves on, may I add.’ Gautier looked surprised then bit his lip to stop himself from laughing. Janet was not amused, and Jacque’s mouth dropped open in astonishment.

‘I continued my work and after was escorted back to my room by Kenneth and he warned me if I put his father in danger again, he would kill me. I do not think Kenneth realised the influence Alexander had and I believed him. Because the women did not know I was in the room, my fires were not been restocked. I was tired, hungry, and cold and felt I had lost the only man who would protect me. Alexander said if I did not obey, we would have no future together and I thought if I put him in danger, I could get him killed. This, I found out later, was a lot of crap.’

‘Madam, mind your language!’ Janet gave Gautier an amused glanced.

‘Anyway, to cut the story short, I nearly froze during the night and lost my toes.’ Janet took off her socks and exposed her feet minus the tips of her toes. ‘A week later, Duncan found out who I was and I discovered another man, their Doctor William, who had also been flicked back in time from New Zealand. Duncan had always known about him but swore me to secrecy. I was not to tell Alex and after the last hiding, I complied. Oh yes, definitely it is a male dominated world, and you do as you are told or else. David did not like the fact I could do maths.’ Jacqueline laughed,

‘I bet you still got yourself into a lot of trouble.’ Janet sighed. Gautier put his hand up to hide his grin as she continued,

‘Now where was I...? Oh, yes. I had a job helping William and got to know Alex better and one thing lead to another.’

‘Hmm Mum, you devil you,’ Jacque giggled.

‘Jacqueline, there’s no need to be sarcastic. I went to the Battle of Bannock burn where I met Robert Bruce, the King of Scotland. David and Michael were killed in that battle.’ She pointed at Michael’s name on the family tree. ‘Lachlan became chief. I met our descendant, Kenneth the VIII, chief of the Mackenzies and the Earl of Ross who was another grandfather.’

‘Did they find out who you were?’

‘Only Sir Kenneth did. He overheard me telling Alex.’ Janet paused to remember the hurt she had seen in Alexander’s eyes when she told him who she was. ‘I stayed with the Mackenzies for a short time then Alex came to get me, but Sir Kenneth would not let me go unless I was married to Alex. I was a loose end and he saw a chance to get something from the MacDonalds.’

‘Did you want to marry him?’ Jacqueline asked. Janet smiled and looked up past Jacque at Alexander.

‘Aye, by then I was in love with the big oaf.’ Janet glanced at Alexander and Robert, who had meanwhile come into the kitchen. Alexander smiled and winked. They stared at each other for a short time before she went on. ‘Alex married me. I should have introduced Alexander as your step-father.’ Jacque turned to look at Alexander before turning back to her mother ‘And then he took me back to the MacDonald’s, but on the way we were attacked and taken prisoner.’ Alexander spoke,

‘Your mother was a brave woman. She saved my life and nearly got herself badly beaten.’ He was going to say raped but did not. ‘I was injured and she helped us escape.’ Janet continued,

‘Gautier found us in a croft and helped us get home to the MacDonald’s, where he then became one of their knights.’ For a split second Janet wanted to cry, remembering the beating she had received but she managed to fend the tears off. ‘We arrived back at MacDonald’s, and it felt like being back home.

Jacque, the castle was a big medieval castle. It was special. Robert met and married Alex’s daughter, Louisa. Duncan and Helen had twins. We, Alex and I, went to his place on a beautiful little loch called Loch Clair. I met King Robert Bruce again, and the men who had attacked us tried to sell Alex’s horse at the castle and I recognised them. Alex caught them and they got what they deserved.’ She paused remembering what had happened to the men. ‘At least, I suppose they did,’ she added. Once more Janet glanced at Alexander, and he came around behind her and put his arms around her waist.

‘Yer do what yer have to do, lass,’ he whispered. Jacqueline appeared puzzled.

‘He killed them. Slit one by his throat and the others were shot by arrows.’ Jacqueline stared at Alexander as Janet sighed. Robert spoke,

‘As Sir Alexander just said, yer do what you have to. Yer can nae take them prisoner as yer have to feed and guard them and they were nae the type who would change sides.’

‘Have all you men killed like that?’ Jacqueline asked as she glanced at Robert, who replied,

‘I can only speak for Sir Alexander and myself but yes we have.’ He returned her gaze before she moved her eyes to Gautier who raised his eyebrows. Jacqueline did not know what to think, but her body tingled all over for a few moments. Her mother then continued,

‘We went back to the castle. Umm..... Oh, they had a Clan gathering, with games and weddings. Lachlan married Katherine. Oh all sorts of things happened. Gautier got married to Francesca.’ She reached over and took Gautier’s hand giving it a squeeze, remembering Francesca was pregnant with their first child.

‘I could be a father soon,’ he said. All nodded in sympathy. For a few moments everyone was quiet before Janet continued,

‘The next event was when our grandfather, the Earl of Ross, besieged the castle.’ Robert interrupted,

‘And someone made him go away. Did he not, Sir Gautier?’ Robert smiled.

‘Oh oui and I won a bet as a result, I believe.’ There was a warning glance from Janet to silence him as she blushed slightly.

‘Least said about that the better.’ Janet remarked. Robert laughed.

‘What happened?’ Jacqueline asked. Robert answered.

‘Sir Gautier here is an ex Templar Knight. Do yer know what I mean?’ Jacqueline nodded. ‘He waved his black and white banner and then all the Templars with the Earl of Ross went away. The enemy must have realised if the Templars would not fight they would lose, so they too left.’ Feeling his gaze upon her, Janet did not wish to look at Gautier in case she blushed again. It was the same look he had given her when they had made love. Janet cleared her throat and continued with her story,

‘Duncan was injured. At one time, we thought we may lose him.’

‘Would you not be pleased about that?’ Jacque enquired. ‘He wanted to kill you!’

‘Oh, no, definitely not. I had come to love him like I did all the people in the castle. They were my family.’ Jacque nodded. Robert and Gautier exchanged a knowing glance. ‘We had a party a month later and then we ended up back here. For me it was actually three years in time after I had left, for you, it was only three days.’ Alexander released her.

She reached up and took off the towel from around her head. Her long, greying hair fell about her shoulders. Jacqueline closed her eyes and paused for a moment before looking at her mother.

‘It is like you went back into your own book.’ Janet gave Jacqueline a look indicating she was not to mention this point again. ‘I bet Simon would be interested in this.’

‘What are you saying? You can’t tell anyone.’

‘Simon is Head of the Science Department. He is an astrophysicist. He investigates time travel.’

‘No Jacque, not yet, we have to figure this out. They have travelled out of their time. I know exactly how they are feeling. Please wait until I say you can.’ Jacqueline nodded.

‘Does David know?’ Janet shook her head.

‘He is due home in a few moments unless he is going out with Karen.’

Janet dreaded her older son knowing about the men coming to stay. Alexander gave Janet a quick kiss on her cheek and left to go back into the lounge followed by Robert and Gautier. Janet grabbed a bottle of wine from the fridge and poured a glass and as she drank it, she remembered the night she had slept with Gautier. Jacqueline finished the potatoes and had put them on to boil. The chicken had thawed and was placed in the oven.

‘How old are they?’ Jacqueline asked breaking Janet’s reverie.

‘Who in particular are you referring to?’

‘Just want to know.’ 

‘Alex is fifty-eight, Robert is twenty-eight and Gautier is thirty-four and, remember, they are all married.’

‘Hmm. Call me when tea is ready.’ She disappeared as Alexander came back into the room. He watched Jacque leave then placed his arms around Janet once more. She leant back into his arms and smiled.

‘You smell nice and clean. Want a wine? Tell one of the others they can have a bath now.’

‘Aye, that would be nice. Do yer nae run out of hot water?’ She poured another glass of wine.

‘No, we have a machine which uses gas, which heats up the water as you require it. We never run out.’ 

‘Gas?’

‘It’s like steam but it is inflammable and it comes out of the ground and is piped to your home so you can use it.’ She turned on the gas hob, pushed a button and a flame appeared.

As Alexander rose to go into the kitchen, Robert spoke to Gautier.

‘I hear yer were ordered to Duncan’s solar that night?’

‘What night?’

‘When we interrogated Janet and yer challenged Lachlan. Sir Duncan took yer to his solar to have words with you. What did he say?’

‘Why have vous brought that up?’

‘It came into my mind when yer talked about the bet.’

‘He said nothing much. He said to trust them. I insisted she was innocent. He made me sit with him.’

‘Yes, I hear there were a couple of extra guards outside the door in case yer did something stupid. Does Sir Alexander know what yer did?’ Gautier shrugged his shoulders. Alexander’s voice came from behind them.

‘Aye, I do. Robert, it’s time for yer bath.’ Robert left the room.

‘I never did thank yer for defending her on that night, Gautier.’

‘I had to do it.’

‘Do yer know why Duncan stayed with yer that night?’

‘No, not really.’

‘He was the only one who was equal to yer if yer got out of hand. That is why he disarmed you and two guards were stationed outside until he knew what the outcome was. Duncan knows what it is like to love a woman he can nae have. He also has feelings for her.’ Gautier remained silent. Alexander moved closer and spoke in French.

‘I want vous to test her.’

‘Pardon Monsieur, I do not understand what vous are saying.’

‘I need to know if she truly loves me and nae someone else.’

‘That is absurd, Sir, she loves vous deeply.’

‘Aye, that is what she says but I have had two others who have said the same and it has meant nothing.’ There was a slight pause.

‘I could lie,’ said Gautier.

‘Nae, vous would not. Vous have too much honour to do that.’

‘Vous ask a lot, Monsieur.’

‘I know.’

‘Is it her vous are testing or me?’

‘Maybe I am testing vous both. We are living in close quarters and there are more chances for her eye to wander. Vous have had her once, Monsieur, and vous will not have her again. Not as long as I am alive. I need to know the truth. I am getting too old to be played around with, if vous know what I mean?’

‘When?’

‘A time will arise, maybe not soon, but it will.’ 

Alexander and Gautier both sat down, thinking of the task to come. Gautier must be strong as his deep feelings for her must be suppressed. Yes, Alexander was testing them both.

Everyone had by now finished their baths and were sitting around the table. Janet suggested that Alexander have a look at her wine collection, and he chose a wine to have with the meal. She was interested in what he thought of the modern wines. Locating her eye glasses, she kissed them before putting on them on to read the labels. A few moments later, she handed them to